U.S. patent application number 12/070787 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for polysaccharide markers.
This patent application is currently assigned to SenoRx, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael L. Jones, Paul Lubock.
Application Number | 20090216118 12/070787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47427197 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090216118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Michael L. ; et
al. |
August 27, 2009 |
Polysaccharide markers
Abstract
The marker member delivery system described has a plurality of
marker members disposed within a delivery tube or cannula which
contain a suitable polysaccharide such as starch (e.g. corn starch
or potato starch) and a binder such as methylcellulose. These
marker members are preferably press-formed from powders. The system
has preferably has at least one other marker member formed of
bioabsorbable material with a radiopaque element attached to or
incorporated therein. The marker with a radiopaque marker element
is preferably disposed within the delivery tube between two marker
members formed of polysaccharide and is preferably formed of a
bioabsorbable material other than a polysaccharide.
Inventors: |
Jones; Michael L.; (San
Clemente, CA) ; Lubock; Paul; (Laguna Niguel,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARD J. LYNCH, PATENT ATTORNEY
ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER, SUITE 562
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Assignee: |
SenoRx, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
47427197 |
Appl. No.: |
12/070787 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/431 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00004
20130101; A61B 2090/3987 20160201; A61B 2017/00898 20130101; A61B
90/39 20160201; A61B 2017/00831 20130101; A61B 2090/3925 20160201;
A61B 2090/3962 20160201; A61K 9/0024 20130101; A61P 7/04 20180101;
A61B 2090/3908 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/431 |
International
Class: |
A61B 6/00 20060101
A61B006/00 |
Claims
1. A remotely imageable marker system comprising a tubular delivery
member and a plurality of marker members which comprise a
bioabsorbable polysaccharide in sufficient amounts to exhibit
hemostatic properties and a binder and which are disposed within an
inner lumen of the tubular delivery member.
2. The imageable marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker
members are about 10 to about 90% (by wt.) bioabsorbable
polysaccharide.
3. The imageable marker system of claim 2 wherein the marker
members are formed of a polysaccharide selected from the group
consisting of starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin, chitosan,
dextran, pectins, glucans, agar, alginate and carrageen.
4. The imageable marker system of claim 2 wherein the marker
members are formed of corn starch or potato starch.
5. The imageable marker system of claim 3 wherein the marker
members are about 10 to about 90% (by wt.) binder.
6. The imageable marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker
members are formed of a binder selected from the group consisting
of methycellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol,
polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrolidone.
7. The imageable marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker
members are formed of a binder comprising methycellulose.
8. The imageable marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker
members are press-formed into a desired shape.
9. The imageable marker system of claim 8 wherein the press-formed
marker members are formed of a powder having particle size less
than 0.01 inch.
10. The imageable marker system of claim 9 wherein the powder has a
particle size of about 10 to about 200 micrometers.
11. The imageable marker system of claim 8 wherein the press-formed
marker member have a transverse dimension of about 0.02 to about
0.1 inch.
12. The imageable marker system of claim 8 wherein the press-formed
marker member have a short transverse dimension of about 0.035 to
about 0.075 inch.
13. The imageable marker system of claim 8 wherein the press-formed
marker member has a length of about 0.1 to about 0.4 inch.
14. The imageable marker system of claim 8 wherein the press-formed
marker member has a length of about 0.15 to about 0.35 inch.
15. The imageable marker system of claim 1 wherein the tubular
delivery member has a marker body formed of bioabsorbable material
and having a radiopaque marker element disposed within the inner
lumen thereof.
16. The imageable marker system of claim 15 wherein the marker body
having a radiopaque marker element is disposed between two marker
members formed of polysaccharide.
17. The imageable marker system of claim 16 wherein there are two
marker members formed of polysaccharide distal to the marker body
having a radiopaque marker element.
18. The imageable marker system of claim 16 wherein there are two
marker members formed of polysaccharide proximal to the marker body
having a radiopaque marker element.
19. An intracorporeal marker comprising a press-formed body of
polysaccharide in sufficient amounts to exhibit hemostatic
properties and a binder.
20. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body contains about 10 to about 90% (by wt.) bioabsorbable
polysaccharide.
21. The imageable marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed body
is formed of a polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of
starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, dextran, pectins,
glucans, agar, alginate and carrageen.
22. The imageable marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed body
is formed of corn starch or potato starch.
23. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body contains about 10 to about 90% (by wt.) binder.
24. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body is formed of a binder selected from the group consisting of
methycellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol,
polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrolidone.
25. The intracorporeal marker system of claim 19 wherein the
press-formed body is formed of a binder comprising
methycellulose.
26. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body is formed of a mixed powder of polysaccharide and binder.
27. The intracorporeal marker of claim 26 wherein the powder has a
particle size less than 0.01 inch.
28. The intracorporeal marker of claim 26 wherein the powder has a
particle size of about 10 to about 200 micrometers.
29. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body has a transverse dimension of about 0.02 to about 0.1
inch.
30. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body has a transverse dimension of about 0.035 to about 0.075
inch.
31. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body has a length of about 0.1 to about 0.4 inch.
32. The intracorporeal marker of claim 19 wherein the press-formed
body has a length of about 0.15 to about 0.35 inch.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority from
provisional application Ser. No. 60/835,740, filed on Aug. 4, 2006,
and copending application Ser. No. 11/881,264, filed on Jul. 26,
2007, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention is generally directed to remotely detectable,
intracorporeal markers and devices and methods for the delivery of
such markers to a desired location within a patient's body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions, it is
often desirable to mark a suspicious body site for the subsequent
taking of a biopsy specimen, for delivery of medicine, radiation,
or other treatment, for the relocation of a site from which a
biopsy specimen was taken, or at which some other procedure was
performed. As is known, obtaining a tissue sample by biopsy and the
subsequent examination are typically employed in the diagnosis of
cancers and other malignant tumors, or to confirm that a suspected
lesion or tumor is not malignant. The information obtained from
these diagnostic tests and/or examinations is frequently used to
devise a therapeutic plan for the appropriate surgical procedure or
other course of treatment.
[0004] In many instances, the suspicious tissue to be sampled is
located in a subcutaneous site, such as inside a human breast. To
minimize surgical intrusion into a patient's body, it is often
desirable to insert a small instrument, such as a biopsy needle,
into the body for extracting the biopsy specimen while imaging the
procedure using fluoroscopy, ultrasonic imaging, x-rays, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) or any other suitable form of imaging
technique or palpation. Examination of tissue samples taken by
biopsy is of particular significance in the diagnosis and treatment
of breast cancer. In the ensuing discussion, the biopsy and
treatment site described will generally be the human breast,
although the invention is suitable for marking biopsy sites in
other parts of the human and other mammalian body as well.
[0005] Periodic physical examination of the breasts and mammography
are important for early detection of potentially cancerous lesions.
In mammography, the breast is compressed between two plates while
specialized x-ray images are taken. If an abnormal mass in the
breast is found by physical examination or mammography, ultrasound
may be used to determine whether the mass is a solid tumor or a
fluid-filled cyst. Solid masses are usually subjected to some type
of tissue biopsy to determine if the mass is cancerous.
[0006] If a solid mass or lesion is large enough to be palpable, a
tissue specimen can be removed from the mass by a variety of
techniques, including but not limited to open surgical biopsy, a
technique known as Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) and
instruments characterized as "vacuum assisted large core biopsy
devices".
[0007] If a solid mass of the breast is small and non-palpable
(e.g., the type typically discovered through mammography), a vacuum
assisted large core biopsy procedure is usually used. In performing
a stereotactic biopsy of a breast, the patient lies on a special
biopsy table with her breast compressed between the plates of a
mammography apparatus and two separate x-rays or digital video
views are taken from two different points of view. A computer
calculates the exact position of the lesion as well as depth of the
lesion within the breast. Thereafter, a mechanical stereotactic
apparatus is programmed with the coordinates and depth information
calculated by the computer, and such apparatus is used to precisely
advance the biopsy needle into the small lesion. The stereotactic
technique may be used to obtain histologic specimens. Usually at
least five separate biopsy specimens are obtained from locations
around the small lesion as well as one from the center of the
lesion.
[0008] The available treatment options for cancerous lesions of the
breast include various degrees of mastectomy or lumpectomy,
radiation therapy, chemotherapy and combinations of these
treatments. However, radiographically visible tissue features,
originally observed in a mammogram, may be removed, altered or
obscured by the biopsy procedure, and may heal or otherwise become
altered following the biopsy. In order for the surgeon or radiation
oncologist to direct surgical or radiation treatment to the precise
location of the breast lesion several days or weeks after the
biopsy procedure was performed, it is desirable that a biopsy site
marker be placed in the patient's body to serve as a landmark for
subsequent location of the lesion site. A biopsy site marker may be
a permanent marker (e.g., a metal marker visible under x-ray
examination), or a temporary marker (e.g., a bioresorbable marker
detectable with ultrasound). While current radiographic type
markers may persist at the biopsy site, an additional mammography
generally must be performed at the time of follow up treatment or
surgery in order to locate the site of the previous surgery or
biopsy. In addition, once the site of the previous procedure is
located using mammography, the site must usually be marked with a
location wire which has a hook on the end which is advanced into
site of the previous procedure. The hook is meant to fix the tip of
the location wire with respect to the site of the previous
procedure so that the patient can then be removed from the
confinement of the mammography apparatus and the follow-up
procedure performed. However, as the patient is removed from the
mammography apparatus, or otherwise transported the position of the
location wire can change or shift in relation to the site of the
previous procedure. This, in turn, can result in follow-up
treatments being misdirected to an undesired portion of the
patient's tissue.
[0009] As an alternative or adjunct to radiographic imaging,
ultrasonic imaging (herein abbreviated as "USI") or visualization
techniques can be used to image the tissue of interest at the site
of interest during a surgical or biopsy procedure or follow-up
procedure. USI is capable of providing precise location and imaging
of suspicious tissue, surrounding tissue and biopsy instruments
within the patient's body during a procedure. Such imaging
facilitates accurate and controllable removal or sampling of the
suspicious tissue so as to minimize trauma to surrounding healthy
tissue.
[0010] For example, during a breast biopsy procedure, the biopsy
device is often imaged with USI while the device is being inserted
into the patient's breast and activated to remove a sample of
suspicious breast tissue. As USI is often used to image tissue
during follow-up treatment, it may be desirable to have a marker,
similar to the radiographic markers discussed above, which can be
placed in a patient's body at the site of a surgical procedure and
which are visible using USI. Such a marker enables a follow-up
procedure to be performed without the need for traditional
radiographic mammography imaging which, as discussed above, can be
subject to inaccuracies as a result of shifting of the location
wire as well as being tedious and uncomfortable for the
patient.
[0011] Placement of a marker or multiple markers at a location
within a patient's body requires delivery devices capable of
holding markers within the device until the device is properly
situated within a breast or other body location. Accordingly,
devices and methods for retaining markers within a marker delivery
device while allowing their expulsion from the devices at desired
intracorporeal locations are desired.
[0012] In addition to marking functions, frequently it is desirable
to provide treatments with the marker members such as hemostatic
treatment and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention is generally directed to a remotely imageable
marker system suitable for deployment at a site within a patient's
body, particularly a biopsy site such as in a patient's breast. The
imageable marker system has a plurality of marker members
containing polysaccharide in sufficient amounts to provide
hemostatic properties and has a molecular weight of about 3500 to
about 200,000 Daltons. The polysaccharide containing marker members
are preferably press-formed from a dry powder into a pellet shape.
The polysaccharide and binder powder should have a particle size of
about 10 to about 200 micrometers. The polysaccharide markers
rapidly absorb body fluid and hydrate and in the process dehydrate
blood at the site of deployment to rapidly initiate clotting.
[0014] The polysaccharide is preferably starch (corn starch or
potato starch) but a variety of bioabsorbable polysaccharides are
suitable, including glycogen, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, dextran,
pectins, glucans, agar, alginate and carrageen. The binder is
preferably methycellulose but a variety of binders may be employed
in lieu of or in addition to methycellulose. Other suitable binders
include hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl
alcohol, polyvinylpyrolidone.
[0015] The remotely imageable marker system preferably includes a
marker body with a radiopaque element connected thereto or
incorporated therein to provide long term identification of the
intracorporeal site. Preferably, the radiopaque element is formed
of non-magnetic material to avoid interference with magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). Suitable non-magnetic materials include
titanium, platinum, gold, iridium, tantalum, tungsten, silver,
rhodium, non-magnetic stainless steel (316) and the like. The
radiopaque element should have a shape that is readily recognized
at the intracorporeal site when remotely imaged. The radiopaque
element should have a maximum dimension of about 0.5 to about 5 mm,
preferably about 1 to about 3 mm to ensure remote identification,
particularly with MRI. The marker body having a radiopaque element
is preferably formed of a bioabsorbable polymeric material such as
polylactic-polyglycolic acid (polylactide-co-glycolide) with a
longer dissolution time than the polysaccharide pellets, although
the latter may be used.
[0016] The polysaccharide containing pellets will generally have a
transverse dimension of about 0.02 to about 0.1 inch (0.5-2.5 mm),
preferably about 0.035 to about 0.075 inch (0.9-1.9 mm), and
typically about 0.056 inch (1.4 mm). The pellets will have a length
of about 0.1 to about 0.4 inch (2.5-10 mm), preferably about 0.15
to about 0.35 inch (3.8-8.9 mm). The pellets provide sufficient
column strength to facilitate introduction into and discharge
thereof from the tubular delivery device. The markers are
preferably arranged for delivery within the delivery tube with the
marker having a radiopaque element between two adjacent marker
members formed of polysaccharide. As presently contemplated, within
the delivery tube there will be two polysaccharide marker members
distal and two polysaccharide marker members proximal to the marker
having a radiopaque element.
[0017] The marker member embodying features of the invention can be
readily delivered to the desired location by suitable delivery
systems such as disclosed in co-pending applications Ser. No.
10/444,770, filed on May 23, 2003 and Ser. No. 10/753,277, filed on
Dec. 23, 2003. The marker delivery system generally has an
elongated cannula or tube with proximal and distal ports and an
inner lumen extending between the ports. The marker member is
slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the delivery cannula
and a plunger slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the
delivery cannula proximal to the markers. The plunger is movable
from an initial position proximal to the markers within the tube,
to a delivery position close to the discharge opening in the distal
end of the cannula to push the marker members out of the discharge
opening into the target tissue site.
[0018] Upon being discharged into the intracorporeal target site,
the plurality of polysaccharide containing markers quickly take up
body fluid at the site, initiating the clotting process and
providing hemostasis. The other marker member with a radiopaque
marker element enables short term detection (at least three weeks,
preferably at least four weeks but less than a year) by remote USI
and preferably long term detection by remote mammographic imaging
or MRI identification by the radiopaque element. Typically, the
polysaccharide bodies dissolve in situ in about five seconds to
about 2 minutes and enzymatically degrade in about 2-5 days.
[0019] The cannula of the marker delivery device may be configured
to fit within the guide cannula of a biopsy device, such as a
Mammotome.RTM. (sold by Johnson & Johnson), the SenoCor 360.TM.
biopsy device sold by SenoRx (the present assignee), the EnCor.TM.
biopsy device sold by SenoRx and or a coaxial needle guide. The
delivery cannula can also be configured to fit into the proximal
end of a tubular cutting element such as found in the EnCor.TM.
biopsy system sold by SenoRx which is the subject of co-pending
application Ser. No. 10/911,106, filed on Aug. 3, 2004.
[0020] One suitable delivery system suitable for delivery through a
tubular cutter (e.g. as with the Encor.TM. system) is a
syringe-type delivery system described in co-pending application
Ser. No. 10/911,106, filed on Aug. 3, 2004 having a tubular shaft
with a flared guide on or integral with the distal tip to
facilitate engagement with the proximal end of the tubular cutter.
Another syringe-type delivery system has a plugged distal tip to
prevent body fluids from engaging one or more markers which may be
in the tubular shaft of the delivery system. Such fluid infusions
can retard or restrict discharging the markers within the inner
lumen of the delivery cannula by causing the markers to take up
water or swell within the lumen of the delivery cannula. Delivery
systems with plugged tips are described in co-pending applications
Ser. No. 10/444,770, filed on May 23, 2003 and Ser. No. 10/753,277,
filed on Dec. 23, 2003, which are incorporated herein in their
entireties. The plugged tip type delivery systems can have a side
opening for marker deployment or a plugged needle-type distal tip
both of which are disclosed in the above application Ser. No.
10/753,694.
[0021] A variety of therapeutic or diagnostic agents may also be
incorporated into the marker bodies. Incorporated agents can
include for example, anesthetic agents to control pain,
chemotherapeutic agents for treating residual neoplastic tissue or
coloring agents to facilitate subsequent visual location of the
site. Antibiotics, antifungal agents and antiviral agents may also
be incorporated into the marker bodies.
[0022] Upon delivery to the intracorporeal site, the markers are
easily identifiable from surrounding tissue at the site by
ultrasonic imaging (USI).
[0023] The polysaccharide containing markers embodying features of
the present invention provide several advantages. The
polysaccharide marker bodies quickly dissolve in the body fluids at
the site to provide to provide rapid hemostasis therein even with
serious bleeding. Moreover, the materials rapidly degrade so there
is no long term irritation or inflammation at the site.
[0024] These and other advantages of the invention will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a press-formed marker member
embodying features of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an end view of the marker member shown in FIG.
1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of markers
arranged as they would be within a delivery tube (not shown).
[0028] FIG. 4 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a marker
delivery assembly having a plurality of marker members embodying
features of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the
lines 5-5 shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a press-formed marker member 10
embodying features of the invention which is formed of a mixture of
polysaccharide powder and methylcellulose powder. The press-formed
marker member 10 has sufficient polysaccharide powder so as to
quickly form thrombus when coming into contact with blood at an
intracorporeal site. Typically, the marker member 10 will have 65%
(by wt.) polysaccharide and 35% (by wt.) methylcellulose. The
marker member 10 is preferably formed by mixing polysaccharide
powder (corn starch or potato starch) and methylcellulose powder in
appropriate amounts, placing the mixed powder in a pellet die and
subjecting the powder within the pellet die to a pressure of about
6 to 40 ksi, typically about 12 ksi.
[0031] One suitable polysaccharide material is U.S.P. Topical
Starch. Alternatively, Hemaderm.TM., which is available from
Medafor, Inc. located in Minneapolis, Minn., may also be used. This
product is described at least in part in U.S. Pat. No.
6,060,461.
[0032] The marker member 10 may be formed in a variety of shapes
and sizes, but generally the length of the marker member is at
least twice, preferably five times that of the maximum transverse
dimension. The marker member 10 should have sufficient column
strength to allow it to be pushed within the delivery tube without
significant damage. In some instances the marker member may be
partially or completely coated with a bioabsorbable polymeric
material such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and copolymers
thereof to control the dissolution of the material of the marker
member.
[0033] One suitable marker delivery system 15 is depicted in FIGS.
4A-4B which includes a delivery tube or cannula 16 with an inner
lumen 17, a distal portion 18, and a proximal portion 19 with a
handle 20. A releasable distal plug 21 and the press-formed markers
10 are shown disposed within the inner lumen 17. A marker body 22
formed of a bioabsorbable material other than a polysaccharide with
a radiopaque element is disposed between at least two press-formed
marker bodies 10. A plunger 23 is slidably disposed within the
inner lumen 17 and is provided with a head 24 on the proximal end
25 configured to allow an operator to press the plunger further
into the inner lumen and push both the releasable plug 21 and
marker members 10 and marker body 22 out of the discharge port or
opening 26 in the distal end 27 of delivery cannula 16. Cannula
handle 20 allows an operator to hold the cannula steady while
pressing plunger 23 to discharge the releasable plug 21 and marker
members 10 and marker body 22.
[0034] Releasable plug 21, preferably formed of polyethylene
glycol, may substantially fill the discharge opening 26, as shown
in FIG. 4A or at least occupy or block a portion of the discharge
opening. The exposed face of plug 21 is preferably provided with an
inclined configuration. Releasable plug 21 is configured to be
tight enough, e.g. press fit, in the inner lumen 17 to prevent its
inadvertent release which might allow premature discharge of marker
10 from delivery cannula 16, but the plug must be easily released
when the plunger 23 is pressed deeper into the inner lumen 17 of
the delivery cannula 16. An adhesive or mechanical element(s) may
be used to hold the releasable plug 21 in a position within the
inner lumen 17 to occlude the discharge opening 26. Suitable
adhesives include polyurethane or polyacrylic based adhesives,
polyhydroxymethacrylate base adhesives, fibrin glue (e.g.,
Tisseal.TM.), collagen adhesive, or mixtures thereof. Suitable
mechanical means for securing the releasable plug 21 are described
in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/174,401. The distal end 26 of
the delivery cannula 16 is provided with a ramp 27 which guides the
discharged plug 21 and marker member 10 out of the side port 28
into the target site. The distal tip 29 may be tapered for delivery
through a guide tube (not shown).
[0035] The delivery cannula 16 may be provided with markings 30
which serve as visual landmarks to aid an operator in accurately
placing the distal portion 18 of the cannula 16 in a desired
location within a patient's body for discharging the marker 10.
[0036] The exterior of the delivery cannula 16 is preferably
configured to fit within a guide cannula sized to accept a
SenoCor.RTM., EnCor.TM., Mammotome.RTM. Tru-Cut.RTM., biopsy
device. Typically, plug 21 and marker member 10 will have diameters
determined by the size of the inner lumen 17 and typically will be
about 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) to about 0.5 inch (12 mm), preferably
about 0.04 inch (1 mm) to about 0.3 inch (8 mm). Plug 21 may have
slightly larger transverse dimensions to provide a tight fit.
[0037] When the marker member 10 contacts body fluid within a body
cavity such as a lumpectomy or biopsy site, the binding agent is
dissolved and the polysaccharide draws moisture away from the blood
and other fluids at the site and the clotting cascade begins to
form thrombus at the site resulting in hemostasis.
[0038] While one or more particular forms of the invention have
been illustrated and described herein in the context of a breast
biopsy site, it will be apparent that the device and methods having
features of the invention may find use in a variety of locations
and in a variety of applications, in addition to the human breast,
where tissue has been removed. Moreover, various modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. For example, while the polysaccharide bodies are
primarily described herein as press-formed bodies, the
polysaccharide materials by be encapsulated in a bioabsorbable body
or be in other forms. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. It is
therefore intended that this invention to be defined by the scope
of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit, and
in view of the specification if need be. Moreover, those skilled in
the art will recognize that features shown in one embodiment may be
utilized in other embodiments. Additional details of pellet or
other marker members and delivery systems may be found in
co-pending applications Ser. No. 10/753,694, filed on Jan. 7, 2004,
and Ser. No. 10/976,138, filed on Oct. 27, 2004.
[0039] Terms such as "element", "member", "device", "section",
"portion", "step", "means" and words of similar import when used in
the following claims shall not be construed as invoking the
provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112(6) unless the following claims
expressly use the term "means" followed by a particular function
without specific structure or expressly use the term "step"
followed by a particular function without specific action. All
patents and patent applications referred to above are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
* * * * *